http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.stpeter.org.nz en-us Mon, 13 Jul 2026 03:46:52 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/167311/views-from-the-pews-jutta-ackerman/ Amid the noise of the daily news cycle - fear, division, and anger, it is easy to forget one of the great achievements of the last 80 years - the resumption of grown-up relationships with Germany, Japan, and to a significant extent, Vietnam. International reconciliations are assumed to be the work of leaders, diplomats, royalty. And it is true that the reconciliation with Germany was partly borne on cold winds blowing from the former Soviet Union. Yes, politics has its place, and all those glitt... Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:49:03 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post167311 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/167106/views-from-the-pews-no-man-is-an-island/ No man is an island,Entire of itself,Every man is a piece of the continent,A part of the main.If a clod be washed away by the sea,Europe is the less.As well as if a promontory were.As well as if a manor of thy friend'sOr of thine own were:Any man's death diminishes me,Because I am involved in mankind,And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;It tolls for thee.                    &nb... Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post167106 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/166767/views-from-the-pews-pied-beauty/ Glory be to God for dappled things –    For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;       For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;    Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;       And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.All things counter, original, spare, strange;    Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)   &n... Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post166767 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/166702/behind-the-pipes-of-st-peters-cathedral/ It’s a very impressive sight with a very impressive sound. The pipe organ at St Peter’s Cathedral fills the space with sound that feels larger than its source.... Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:08:39 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post166702 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/166500/views-from-the-pews--theological-statement-on-disability/ ... Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post166500 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/166242/sadhu-sundar-singh/ “I have decided to follow Jesus, the Cross before me, the world behind me — no turning back.” That simple, memorable chorus has a way of looping in the mind. I first heard it sung by a Wellington Māori choir on an LP I bought in London, and it has stayed with me ever since.The hymn’s origins are as striking as its tune. The melody is often described as Indian traditional, and the words are attributed to Sadhu Sundar Singh — “Sadhu” being a title meaning ascetic or holy man. Sundar... Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post166242 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/165634/from-the-cathedral-choir-cecily-shaw/ Cecily Shaw once thought Hamilton was a big, scary city. Now she's living in London, preparing to head back for the first time in three years for one of New Zealand's most prestigious vocal competitions. The former St Peter's Cathedral choir member and Sunday School teacher shares her story, from the friendships and mentors to the 'face-palm' moments that made her time at the Cathedral unforgettable.... Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post165634 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/165847/views-from-the-pews-greetings-from-st-nicholas-of-myra/ This ancient church identifies itself as 'The Ancient Mother Church of Brighton', and stands well back from the sea close to the original centre of this vibrant Sussex city in southern England. The building itself is a metaphor for the Church as an institution; foundations laid back in the mists of time, fabric added in bits and pieces, as need arose, but known most for its square tower and Norman font (which may pre-date the current walls). The tower has a viewing platform as befits any sea-sid... Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post165847 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/165571/views-from-the-pews-christian-hope-and-the-renewal-of-all-things/ Bishop N. T. Wright often says that the Christian story isn’t really about “going to heaven when we die.” And every time I hear that, I think, “Well, that upsets a lot of the hymns I grew up with.” But he’s right. The Bible’s picture is far bigger and far more hopeful. God isn’t planning to scrap the world and start again somewhere else. God intends to renew it — to mend what’s broken and bring heaven and earth back together.The resurrection of Jesus is the heart of that pr... Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post165571 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164394/from-the-cathedral-choir-aidan-thomas-phillips/ Aidan Thomas Phillips joined the Cathedral Choir at 14, and still remembers the joy of singing one of his first tenor solos with the choir. He is now based in the UK, rehearsing for four productions with a fifth on the way.For a young singer already on his way, the Cathedral Choir was a place that supported and encouraged him. In his own words, it remains "a place that will always be near and dear to my heart as a spiritual home."Aidan reflects on his time in the choir and the musical journey th... Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164394